Community

Housing plans for former Penally asylum seeker camp

Published

11 months ago

January 14, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

THE EARLY stages of plans for a potential housing scheme at a Pembrokeshire military training camp, controversially used to house asylum seekers, have been submitted to the national park.

The camp, which has been in existence since 1860 as a military training facility, was prominent in the headlines between October 2020 and March 2021 when it became the controversial base for asylum seekers.

Amid protests from inside and outside its gates, the camp housed up to 250 asylum seekers at the height of its occupancy.

It came under fire from its residents and independent inspectors for its poor living conditions.

After the last of the asylum seekers departed, it was handed back to the MoD by the Home Office, who had previously repurposed it, the camp itself closed in late 2022, and was put up for sale the following year.

During the camp’s usage there were protests from both inside and outside the camp, with more than 200 people protesting at one stage against the plans and numerous arrests made.

The camp housed up to 250 men at any one time, and a 30-strong group of them took to the streets of Tenby in a march to show their unhappiness at what they said was their ‘prison-like’ environment.

At the time of that 2021 protest by the camp inhabitants, a spokesman for Stand Up to Racism West Wales said: “They have had enough of the poor food, bullying from security staff, cold huts, lack of medical care, blocked toilets, poor adherence to Covid regulations (some staff don’t bother to wear masks), lack of mental health support, but above all, being treated as prisoners rather than asylum seekers.

“Things must change.

“They need to be transferred to proper accommodation. Other camps in England are doing this.

“Why not Penally?”

Despite the-then Home Secretary Priti Patel maintaining that there had been consultation with ‘everybody’, a 2021 independent report stated that the Home Office did not consult in advance with local stakeholders – such as those who needed to set up healthcare for residents.

The inspectors were from the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration (ICIBI) and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP).

Their report highlighted ‘filthy’ conditions in parts of the accommodation and residents feeling ‘depressed’, ‘hopeless’ and ‘trapped in poor conditions’.

An early stage ‘observations’ application, validated by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park planners, lists “Proposed residential redevelopment of the former Penally Training Camp,” the scheme listed as being received on January 7 and currently being processed.

The national park has been approached for further details about the scheme proposed.

Community

Narbelles WI support Food Bank with festive donation

Published

13 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Group marks December meeting with charity collection and Christmas celebrations

NARBELLES WI rounded off the year with a festive December meeting featuring a bring-and-share buffet, party games and a Secret Santa gift exchange.

Members also used the occasion to support families in need across the county, collecting food items and presenting a £120 cheque to Ann Watling from Pembrokeshire Food Bank. The donation represents the proceeds of the group’s bucket collection during Narberth Civic Week 2024.

A spokesperson for the WI said the group was delighted to finish the year “with fun, friendship and a chance to give something back to the community.”

(Photo: Narbelles WI members presenting the cheque to Ann Watling, Pembrokeshire Food Bank.)

Community

Annual charity carol service raises funds for good causes

Published

2 days ago

December 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service held its annual Charity Carol Service on Wednesday (Dec 10) at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel in Crymych.

The event brought together members of the local community alongside Fire Service staff for an evening of carols, readings and festive refreshments, marking the Christmas season in a warm and inclusive atmosphere.

This year’s service supported two important charities — the Fire Fighters Charity and Cancer Research Wales — with all proceeds going directly towards their ongoing work.

A total of £597 was raised on the night, which will be shared equally between the two charities.

The Service thanked the congregation at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel for hosting the event, as well as everyone who gave their time, support and generosity to make the evening such a success.

Community

3 Amigos toy bike run under way across Pembrokeshire

Published

2 days ago

December 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Castle Inn fun runners back festive charity event

THE ANNUAL 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run is under way this afternoon (Saturday), with hundreds of motorcyclists setting off from Pembroke to raise funds for children’s services.

Riders gathered at The Commons car park in Pembroke from around midday before departing shortly after 1:00pm. The festive convoy is travelling along its traditional route, taking in Pembroke Dock and continuing through parts of the county including Neyland, Milford Haven and Haverfordwest.

The event is organised by the 3 Amigos and Dollies Motorcycle Group and has become a much-anticipated Christmas tradition in west Wales, with toys and donations collected for children receiving care within the Hywel Dda University Health Board area.

Also supporting the event are fun runners from the Castle Inn in Pembroke, who have been fundraising in aid of the 3 Amigos. The group are pictured alongside participants from today’s run.

The 3 Amigos have been raising funds for children’s wards and health charities for more than twenty-five years, with their Easter and Christmas events continuing to make a positive difference to young patients and their families.

Organisers have thanked the public for their support and asked road users to be mindful of the large convoy as it passes through towns and villages this afternoon.

Photo caption:
Festive fundraising: Fun runners from the Castle Inn, Pembroke, pictured supporting the 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run (Pic: Martin Cavaney/Herald)